Dehydration, suffocation and more: How an epic airshow became scene of despair at Chennai beach

TNN / Updated: Oct 7, 2024, 13:00 IST

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Tragedy struck at Chennai's Marina Beach airshow as five people died and over 90 were hospitalized due to fainting and dehydration amid a record crowd of 15 lakh. A mass exodus caused a stampede-like situation, leading to blocked exit points and delayed medical aid despite 50 ambulances being on standby.

Dehydration, suffocation and more: How an epic airshow became scene of despair at Chennai beach

CHENNAI: Five people died and over 90 were hospitalized for fainting and dehydration during an airshow at Chennai’s Marina Beach on Sunday, which attracted a record crowd of 15 lakh people.
Here's what happened:

The trouble began when the massive crowd tried to leave the venue all at once, causing a stampede-like situation.
Exit points were blocked and people were trapped for over 40 minutes under the scorching sun.
In the chaos, desperate attendees broke through barricades and children sustained minor injuries.
Despite 50 ambulances being on standby, many struggled to reach those in need due to the dense crowd, with some ambulances delayed for over 30 minutes.
A total of 230 people were treated for fainting and dehydration with 93 admitted to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Omandurar Government Hospital.

Eyewitness accounts
Eyewitnesses described the situation as "suffocating." S Sukshma, who was trying to help her mother, said, “I’ve been stuck for over 40 minutes trying to get my mother, who uses a wheelchair, out.”
Latha Mani, another visitor, added, “My daughter needed to use the bathroom, but the crowd was unbearable.We had to leave for Porur without reuniting with my husband on the beach.”
The situation worsened when police locked the gates to the Commissionerate for Differently Abled Welfare, leading to a brief protest.

Also read: Four spectators dead after Chennai air show
In awe before the chaos
The airshow, held to mark the Indian Air Force’s 92nd anniversary had the Marina Beach buzzing with excitement earlier in the day.
A crowd of 15 lakh spectators, the largest ever for an airshow, filled the beach and set a new record in the Limca Book of Records.
The crowd was treated to aerial displays from 72 aircraft, including the vintage Dakota and Harvard, the supersonic Sukhoi Su-30, and India’s own Tejas.
Families, students, and visitors from all over Tamil Nadu arrived early, with some even camping overnight to get the best view.

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